Drivers have threatened to go on an indefinite strike, if their demands are not met

Demands include shutting down ride-hailing companies such as Ola and Uber

This Sunday, Maharashtra’s three-wheeler autorickshaw drivers had threatened to go on an indefinite state-wide strike from July 9, if their demands are not fulfilled by the state government.

Drivers’ have demanded shutting down of ride-hailing companies such as Ola and Uber, which they claimed are illegal. Further, the union of more than 10 lakh auto drivers asked the state to instate a welfare body for auto drivers making them eligible for pension, provident fund, gratuity, and medical help.

The union has also demanded for revised auto fares in accordance to the Hakim Committee recommendations and asked the state government to set up flying squads to prevent illegal passenger traffic and reduce insurance prices.

“More than 10 lakh auto drivers across Maharashtra, including two lakh in Mumbai alone, will go on indefinite strike from July 9 if our demands are not met,” said union leader of Mumbai Automen, Shashank Sharad Rao. “We will hand over our demands list to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and transport minister Diwakar Raote and wait till June 30,” he added.

Following this in 2018, Uber had filed a lawsuit against taxi owners and drivers associations in Mumbai seeking $1.9 Mn (INR 12.41 Cr) in damages for harming its reputation and the livelihood of drivers.